The cha-cha originated in Cuba in the 1940s-1950s as American musicians visiting Cuba fused elements of the mambo and rumba dances. The cha-cha gained popularity in the 1950s and is danced to the music of the same name, which was developed from the Cuban danzón-mambo rhythm. The cha-cha is characterized by compact steps based on the rumba and mambo, with hip and pelvic movements, and incorporates a triple step in place of the slow step from the mambo and rumba. It is danced to 4/4 time music with 2 slow steps followed by 3 quick steps per bar.